Rising backline duo Nick Conway and Finn Mackay have been signed to advance their development with the Queensland Reds.
The pair have committed to two-year elite development squad deals which will advance their skills in a high-performance environment at Ballymore.
Today’s announcement by the Queensland Rugby Union builds on an exciting raft of signings from the state’s rugby pathways. The Conway and Mackay signings follow the multi-year deals for teenage standouts Taione Taka, Treyvon Pritchard, Kingsley Uys, Will Ross, Bennett Armistead and Levi Slater.
Top-level coaching, the world-class BMS National Rugby Training Centre at Ballymore and training with the full Reds squad are among the attractions for development squad players.
Both Conway, 18, and Mackay, 18, have been developing their games as part of the Buildcorp Reds Academy.
Conway featured at Nudgee College last year and was a recent standout for the Junior Wallabies at the World Rugby Under-20 Championships in Italy.
His two-try effort against England showed all the finishing pace he is renowned for, including an 80m intercept try.
"I've enjoyed my whole time here since I came in the doors at Ballymore when I was 16. I've been treated so well," Conway said.
"It's an unreal experience training against such an elite Reds squad with so many Wallabies. That's one of the plusses here.
"I've learnt a heap and feel there's a lot more to come."
The son of former Brisbane Bronco Bob Conway revealed he had an offer to play rugby league in the Broncos system but chose the Reds pathway instead.
"I played league before going to Nudgee College. Dad just said 'go with your gut' and I'm enjoying it so much in rugby, why would I change," Conway said.
“There have been some positive factors.
"(Reds coach) Les Kiss has walked me through the game style of the Reds. I've loved watching it the last two years and to have it explained further with the opportunities on attack for the back three is great.
"The U20s experience pulled me in as well with the opportunities to travel.
“I really feel I can develop my footy at the Reds.”
Mackay’s maturity has been emphasised this season with regular time at fullback and flyhalf for Souths in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup. He is a proud product of St Laurence’s College.
“It’s pretty special to be involved in Queensland rugby. It’s where I want to be. To stay at home, feel comfortable with the surroundings, work hard and have fun are ingredients for playing your best footy,” Mackay said.
“As a No.10, you have to be over everything. Coming from school into rep teams, you have to lift your standards and get across all the detail.
“To be able to train against (Reds flyhalves) Tom Lynagh and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in the pre-season will really help that development.”
Former Wallaby Paul Carozza, the Queensland Reds Head of Talent Management, said Mackay and Conway had both shown outstanding potential in age-group Queensland teams.
“Firstly, it's great to see the boys continue on the pathway at the Reds, having both come in at 16, because it is a sign a very good environment has been created," Carozza said.
"Finn has a very calm head, great game knowledge and a left boot that is a point of difference. It's good to ID a No.10 of potential at this age.
"Nick is a genuine finisher who can play multiple positions. He has a real workrate to get involved and it's credit to him that he was picked this year, at 18, in the Australian U20s side."
Winger-fullback
Age: 18
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 88kg
Club: Wests
School: Nudgee College
Flyhalf
Age: 18
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 84kg
Club: Souths
School: St Laurence’s College
